Doha: what to do if you have an afternoon or a day?

The capital - Qatar's only 'real' city - now offers several entertainment options for passengers on standby. There are four in particular. Firstly, the Waqif souk, an ideal place to collect souvenirs, but also to carry out a few minor repairs at low cost: a shaky sole, a broken watch, a broken smartphone screen. Then there's the Museum of Islamic Art, which is as much about the building itself - designed by I.M. Pei and laid out by Wilmotte - as it is about its collections (manuscripts, textiles, ceramics, etc.).

Another option: a walk or buggy ride through the narrow streets of Katara, the "cultural village" launched in 2010 north of West Bay. This is home to a large number of performance venues and arts institutions, including the Qatar Fine Arts Society, Visual Art Centre, Doha Film Institute and Qatar Music Academy. The amphitheatre, the Golden Mosque, the Qatar Society of Al Gannas building and the Katara Hall are all architectural highlights. Finally, as night falls, the Corniche promenade offers a view of the Doha skyline.

While waiting for the opening to the public of Lusail, the huge new city being built to the north of Doha, urban planning enthusiasts can also take a look at the emerging district known as The Pearl, which is approached via the Port Arabia marina, already home to top brands (Hermès, Armani, Ferragamo, Moschino...) and chic restaurants (BiCE, Megu, Guy Savoy...). There's plenty to occupy an afternoon, or even a day, in Doha. What's next? After that, it's inevitably the desert. We'll make arrangements with the hotel concierge to go and listen to the wind singing in the "singing sand dunes" or visit the camel stables on Dukhan Road.